Crystal Square

I applied to and moved in to this one because it is cheaper than apts in Rosslyn, and it is conveniently located right next to the metro station. However I am moving out after a week moving in, leaving my security deposit and first-month rent dumped because the unit is horribly noisy.

I thought S Bell street was a private community road, with only private vehicles driving through but it turned out there would be trucks and buses going through since 4 am. Not to mention the Richmond highway... several hundred feet away. It is impossible to get used to the noise because it is not only the muffling sound of car wheels but also the engines of trucks and buses that will just startle you while you are asleep. I rented a unit renovated in 2019, but they left the 1960s windows which are literally useless in blocking noise. It feels like the windows don't exist. I don't know the reasoning behind replacing appliances and floors but left the windows untouched, They should have replaced the windows first instead of doing fancy indoor renovations.

The leasing team is unresponsive and inefficient. Almost never reply to emails unless you call them and ask them to check. This is also why I don't even want to give it a try and stay in the unit for a while. The front desk looks fine though. They should tear the whole community down and build a new one because the current one is a waste of the convenient location. Read More

Security: Building has a fob entry system but front door is not secured until late at night permitting anyone to enter. Garage is unsecured, shared with other office buildings and parking level doors to building are frequently propped open allowing non-resident access to building. Management did not lock our unit after performing maintenance when we were not present.
Noise: Crystal Square is a very noisy building due to it's location. Apts face either Rte 1 with lots of traffic noise or the... pool side with National Airport, train traffic, constant surrounding building construction.
Units: Spacious with lots of closet space. AC/Heat are centrally controlled seasonally. Varying degrees of renovations.
Utilities: Utilities are sub-metered so you pay heat/AC/water/gas/electric.
Parking: Expensive - First vehicle $175 Second $100
Management: Pleasant face to face but mostly incompetent - lack of follow-up, pro-activeness with requests. After the rental period, the rent will increase. 60 days written notice prior to vacating.
Location: Convenient to Metro, Crystal City Underground, DC and shopping/restaurants nearby.
All in all expensive (once all additional costs are totaled, noisy and poor management. Read More

Hi Reader, I have been living at Crystal Square little over 1.5 years not renewing my lease any further.

* Leasing team makes false promises. We were told that renovation would be over in 6 months, but it seems that restoration work is never-ending. Most of the facilities you can't use due to continuous repair work. Please take everything in writing at least confirm it on email if you have been promised something.

* I work from home, but the continuous and loud noise of drilling and... hammering gives me severe headaches.

*As the building is quite old and every now and then they do the water and power shut-off due to leakages. Please don't go by cosmetic changes.

* The other day all the elevators stopped working and I had to climb up 17 floors by stairs.

* They don't even empty the trash cans for many days.

If the things mentioned above don't matter to you, then it is a good place to live from the location perspective.

Good luck with your apartment search. Read More

I moved in with 100 pound dog and she was the rock star of the building. This place has dog cookies on the concierge desk (which is manned 24 hours a day) and everyone, including the pups love it here. There is even an off leash dog run out front.

The maintenance folks responsive and friendly, and the amenities are good. While not the most modern apartment, the room sizes are large and the convenience of not having to go outside to get to the Metro is wonderful.

Awesome place!!! Been here for almost 4 years and this place has a been fantastic place to live. Great location, close to metro, tons of close by restaurants and lots of local activities. For the size and location it is a great deal in Arlington and being so close to DC. Pet friendly and have a dog park and also local parks were locals bring their dogs to hang out. Haven't had any issues and with minor maintenance items they are very responsive. They have been making tons of updates lately so... hopefully rent does go up t much. Read More